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Vesta Tilley, 1864-1952. British
Vesta Tilley, real name Matilda Alice Powles, born to a theatrical family in Worcester (England), made her music hall debut in 1868. A year later she first appeared in male attire billed as “The Great Little Tilley” and quickly adopted gender impersonation in a rapid climb to stardom in music hall and Christmas pantomime. When young she was billed as “the dandiest fellah turned sixteen”; once she had achieved major stardom she was promoted as “The London Idol.” In 1912 she became the first male impersonator to appear before royalty. She made several successful tours of the major American vaudeville circuits.
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Vesta Tilley. (Philco Series 3104A) [Postcard] London: The Philco Publishing Company, [n.d.]
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